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FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9128
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 9191
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 1672
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 2622
RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 007002 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
FRED VOGEL IN S/CT AND ALCY FELICK IN CA. 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: END OF US-JAPAN ALLIANCE 
TAGS: KTFN KHLS PROG PGOV KS TH TW JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN: GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR--PURSUIT OF TERRORIST 
INFORMATION EXCHANGE 
 
REF: STATE 190832 
 
Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, Reasons 1.4 (b/d). 
 
¶1.  (C//NF) Summary: Japan uses at least five immigration and 
watchlist databases to track terrorist and terrorist 
entities.  Two lists are based on United Nations Security 
Council Resolutions and one is based on Japan's Foreign 
Exchange Law.  These three lists are available to the public 
and are updated on an as-needed basis.  Embassy Tokyo is 
aware of at least two additional immigration and watchlist 
databases that are compartmentalized within specific Japanese 
government agencies.  Despite some barriers to watchlist data 
sharing, Japan is stepping up counterterrorism measures by 
implementing biometric technology and increasing bilateral 
and multilateral cooperation.  Increasing efforts to reach an 
agreement on United States-Japan watchlist data sharing would 
strengthen already robust counterterrorism cooperation.  End 
Summary. 
 
Immigration Databases and Watchlists 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (C//NF)  Japanese immigration officials  use the Ministry 
of Justice "Foreigners Entry and Departure Information 
System" (FEIS) to screen travelers at points of entry and 
exit across Japan.  MOFA officials on December 7, 2006 said 
the system is, in principle, available at all points of entry 
but we are unable to confirm if this includes sea ports in 
addition to all airports across Japan.  Immigration officials 
use an additional classified national terrorist watchlist, 
known as the "Black List" which contains close to one million 
records, according to the Embassy Tokyo Department of 
Homeland Security ICE Attache.  Most of the individuals 
included in this database have previously violated Japan's 
immigration laws and are barred from entering Japan.  Both 
databases are updated in real time on an as needed basis. 
 
¶3.  (C//NF)  The National Police Agency (NPA) maintains an 
additional list using information from Interpol and 
additional undisclosed sources.  The NPA list includes 
"wanted" international criminals but NPA does not arrest 
individuals based solely on Interpol information, according 
to the Embassy Tokyo DHS ICE Attache.  Japanese immigration 
officials do not have access to Interpol information unless 
NPA passes it to them.  NPA and Ministry of Justice 
immigration databases are not linked. 
 
¶4.  (C//NF)  Japan uses at least three lists to track 
terrorist and terrorist entities.  Two lists are based on 
United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs).  These 
two lists are shared across the Japanese government, are 
available to the public, and are updated on an as-needed 
basis.  The first list is based on UNSCR 1267, 1333, and 
¶1390.  It contains the names of Taliban and al-Qaeda 
terrorists and terrorist entities.  As of November 21, 2006 
the list contained the names of 509 individuals and entities. 
 The complete list includes names in Japanese and English and 
can be accessed online at 
www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/terro/pdfs/list 1267-- 
1333-1390.pdf. 
The second list contains the names of 28 additional 
individuals and terrorist entities designated by the Japanese 
government based on UNSCR 1373.  This list was last updated 
on December 2, 2005.  This list is available online at 
www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/terro/pdfs/list 1373.pdf. 
The Ministry of Finance maintains an additional third list 
containing the names of terrorist individuals and entities 
whose financial assets were frozen based on Japan's Foreign 
Exchange Law.   More information on the Ministry of Finance 
list, including a link to the list, is available in Japanese 
at www.mof.go.jp/jouhou/kokkin/kawase.html. 
 
Information Sharing 
------------------- 
¶5.  (C//NF) Stove-piping within the Japanese government and 
Japan's reluctance to share national terrorist list 
information continues to hinder Embassy Tokyo's ability to 
collect information on Japan's national watchlists.  For 
example, working-level officials at the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs were unaware the Ministry of Finance maintained a 
separate list containing the names of terrorist and terrorist 
entities whose financial assets were frozen under Japan's 
Foreign Exchange Law.   Japan, in July 2005, revised the 
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act to enable 
 
TOKYO 00007002  002 OF 002 
 
 
immigration officials to directly share information with 
their foreign counterparts, but remains reluctant to share 
national terrorist list information.  Some Japanese 
immigration officials are reluctant to share information with 
Embassy officials, including consular officers, because they 
are not direct immigration counterparts. 
 
Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C//NF)  Japan's hesitancy to disclose national terrorist 
information to foreign allies and third country nationals 
hinders bilateral and multilateral cooperation. In previous 
discussions on the possibility of sharing watchlist 
information with the United States, Japanese immigration 
officials insisted Japanese terrorist information not be 
released to third countries, according to the Embassy Tokyo 
DHS ICE Attache. 
 
¶7.  (C//NF)  Despite information sharing obstacles, Japan is 
cautiously stepping up counterterrorism cooperation and  in 
January 2007 will implement the United States Department of 
Homeland Security Immigration Advisory Program (IAP), 
according to MOFA officials.   Four U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection officials with immigration expertise will be 
stationed at Narita Airport to assist airlines in making 
admissibility determinations, assessing passenger intent, and 
ensuring passengers have the necessary documents to enter the 
United States.  They will alert Japanese immigration and NPA 
authorities when a passenger will likely be denied entry into 
the United States.  In addition, Japan has limited bilateral 
agreements with Thailand, Taiwan and Korea.  Japanese 
immigration officials are stationed at airports in Seoul, 
Taipei, and Bangkok in a capacity similar to IAP, according 
to the Embassy Tokyo DHS ICE Attache. 
 
¶8.  (C//NF)  Japan participates in the Container Security 
Initiative, International Port Security Program, and works 
closely with United States on air marshal programs.  In 
addition, Japan in 2006 agreed to purchase equipment to 
upgrade alpha and neutron radiation detection equipment to 
step up efforts in screening shipping containers bound for 
the United States.  (Note: In fall 2005, the Japanese Embassy 
in Washington engaged DHS on possible participation in the 
Secure Freight Initiative and Japan could be an important 
future partner should it agree to first participate in the 
Megaports initiative). 
 
Biometrics 
---------- 
 
¶9.  (C//NF)  Japan began issuing machine readable electronic 
passports (e-passports) containing a digital facial image in 
March 2006.  Japan has the legal authority to collect 
biometric information including fingerprints and facial 
images.  MOFA officials said in December 2006 that Japan will 
begin collecting biometric information on foreigners in 
November 2007 and will install biometric systems at all 
points of entry. (Note: Diplomats and individuals with SOFA 
status will be exempt). This system will include full 
ten-fingerprint identification and will be ICAO compliant. 
 
Future Steps 
------------ 
 
¶10.  (C//NF)  Increasing efforts to reach an agreement on 
data sharing and megaports would strengthen already robust 
counterterrorism cooperation.  Japan's watchlist data does 
not include political dissidents and Embassy Tokyo is not 
aware of any evidence indicating Japan would use or share 
U.S. watchlist data in an inappropriate manner. 
SCHIEFFER